Food containers with hinged handles

ABSTRACT

A food container comprises a base member having at least one handle hingedly coupled thereto and a lid coupled to the base member for movement between an open position and a closed position. The base member and the lid cooperatively define a first receptacle therebetween when the lid is in a closed position. The lid has a cavity defined in an upper surface thereof to hold contents separate from the first receptacle. A second compartment can be provided that defines a second receptacle, where the cavity is configured to receive the second compartment.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/626,364, filed Nov. 9, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for carrying food items.

2. Description of the Related Art

A wide variety of specialty packaging configurations exist for variousfood items in grocery stores and restaurants. Generally, such packagingis configured to accommodate food items that are to be pre-packaged in aspecific arrangement, without opportunity for selection or variation bythe user. Furthermore, such packaging generally is not configured toaccommodate separate associated items, such as condiments or utensils,as may be desired by the user. Indeed, such items are often placed in abag or on a tray with the specialty packaging for carrying by the user.Such bags or trays facilitate relatively easy carrying of all of thenecessary items, but can be awkward and wasteful.

Accordingly, there is a need for a versatile and economical containerthat is capable of overcoming these drawbacks of conventional packagingand containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the present invention will be set forth inand apparent from the description that follows, as well as will belearned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of theinvention will be realized and attained by the devices particularlypointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well asfrom the appended drawings.

The present invention relates to containers with hinged handles tofacilitate carrying by a user. In accordance with one aspect of theinvention, a food container is provided that comprises a base memberhaving at least one handle hingedly coupled thereto and a lid coupled tothe base member for movement between an open position and a closedposition. The base member and the lid cooperatively define a firstreceptacle therebetween when the lid is in a closed position. The lidhas a cavity defined in an upper surface thereof to hold contentsseparate from the first receptacle.

Further, the food container can include a second compartment thatdefines a second receptacle therein, in this case the cavity can beconfigured to receive the second compartment, which, in-turn, caninclude an upper member and lower member coupled together for movementbetween an open position and a closed position to form a clam-shellconfiguration. A third receptacle can be defined between an uppersurface of the lid and a lower surface of the second compartment. Thelid can be separable from the base member or hingedly attached thereto.

The handle can be configured to be moveable between a first position toallow the lid to be removable from the base member to an open positionand a second position to secure the lid in the closed position, and canbe further configured to hold contents within the cavity when in thesecond position. Further, the handle can be hingedly coupled to the basemember by a first hinge, and can include a second hinge between a firstportion of the handle and a second portion of the handle. Also, thehandle can include at least one surface feature to enhance gripping.Further, a second handle can be hingedly coupled to the base member, andthe first and second handles can be mutually engageable.

The base member and the handle can be of a single-piece construction, inwhich case the handle can be defined by a line of weakness formed in aportion of the base member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a food container isprovided that comprises a base member having a bottom surface, sidewallsextending upwardly from the bottom surface, the bottom surface having aplurality of cavities defined therein, at least one cavity configured tohold a corresponding vessel and at least one handle hingedly coupled tothe base member. Additional features of this aspect of the invention caninclude those of the first aspect, described above.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a food containeris provided that comprises a base member, a first lid portion hingedlycoupled to one side of the base member, a second lid portion hingedlycoupled to a second side of the base member opposite the first side, andat least one handle hingedly coupled to at least one of the first andsecond lid portions. The base member and the first and second lidportions cooperatively define a first receptacle therebetween when thefirst and second lid portions are in a closed position. The handle ismoveable between a first position to allow the first and second lidportions to be moved to an open position and a second position to securethe first and second lid portions in the closed position. Additionalfeatures of this aspect of the invention can also include those of thefirst aspect, described above.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of thisspecification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention. Together with the description, thedrawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawingsare not drawn to scale, but show only relative dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food containerassembly with hinged handles;

FIGS. 2-7 are left side, right side, top, bottom, front, and rear viewsof the food container assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the food container assemblyshown in FIG. 1 depicting a closed configuration of a clam-shellcompartment included in the food container assembly;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the food container shown inFIG. 1 depicting an open configuration of a clam-shell compartmentincluded in the food container assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith hinged handles;

FIG. 10A illustrates an exploded perspective view of the food containershown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 11-14 are side, top, bottom, and front views of the food containershown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary use of the food container shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith hinged handles;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are front and side views of the food container shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith hinged handles depicting fluid-carrying vessels disposed in thefood container;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the food container shown in FIG. 19 depictingthe hinged handles in a rest configuration;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith hinged handles depicting the handles in a rest configuration;

FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the food container shown in FIG.21 depicting food items disposed in the food container and the handlesin an operative configuration;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith hinged handles depicting items disposed in a top portion of thefood container;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the food container shown in FIG.23;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary use of the food container shown in FIG.23;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith a hinged handle depicting the handle in a operative configuration;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the food container shown in FIG. 26depicting the handle in a rest configuration;

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary use of the food container shown in FIG.26; and

FIG. 29 illustrates a stacking of two of the food containers shown inFIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

The present invention is directed to a food container with hingedhandles comprising a base member having at least one handle hingedlycoupled thereto and a lid coupled to the base member for movementbetween an open and a closed position. The base member and the lidcooperatively define a first receptacle therebetween when the lid is ina closed position. The lid has a cavity defined in an upper surfacethereof to hold contents separate from the first receptacle. For thepurpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, anexemplary embodiment of the container in accordance with the inventionis shown in FIGS. 1-9 and is designated generally by reference character100.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that each disclosedfood container can be adapted and modified to provide alternativeembodiments of food containers for other applications, and that otheradditions and modifications can be made to the disclosed food containerswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,features of the illustrative embodiments can be combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged to generate other embodiments. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1-9 are views of an embodiment of a food container assembly havinghinged handles. As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the food container assembly 100includes a tray container or base 110, a lid 120 removably andreplaceably attached to the tray container 110, and a clam-shellcompartment 130 removably and replaceably attached to the lid 120. Thetray container 110 includes a tray sidewall 135 having upper and lowertray-sidewall edges, a tray bottom surface 140 adjacent the lowertray-sidewall edge, a tray top surface 145 adjacent the uppertray-sidewall edge, and a pair of handles 150 hingedly attached toopposite ends of the tray top surface 145. The lid 120 includes a lidsidewall having upper and lower lid-sidewall edges and a lid top surface155 that is adjacent to the upper lid-sidewall edge. The clam-shellcompartment 130 includes upper and lower clam shells 165 and 160 thatare hingedly attached to each other at a first end 170 and releaseablyattached to each other at a second opposite end 175 (e.g., via a clasp).The tray top surface 145 preferably defines a groove 180 therein thatsurrounds the upper tray-sidewall edge and that is sized and shaped toreleasably engage the lower lid-sidewall edge 190. The lid top surface155 is recessed or otherwise offset from the upper lid-sidewall edge soas to form a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive and support theclam-shell compartment 130. The upper lid-sidewall edge defines a firstnotch 195 therein for receiving and supporting a lower part of the claspof the clam-shell compartment 130 and a second notch therein forreceiving and support the hinge of the clam-shell compartment 130.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the clasp and/or the hinge of thecompartment 130 is sized and shaped so as to fit snugly into the cavity.In such embodiments, the upper lid-sidewall edge does not include firstand/or second notches. Preferably, each of the tray container 110, lid120, and clam-shell compartment 130 has a unitary or one-piececonstruction. If desired, the tray container 110 and lid 120 can behingedly connected together to form a clam-shell configuration.

The tray container 110 and the lid 120, e.g., the tray sidewall, traybottom surface, lid sidewall, and lid top surface, cooperatively definea receptacle therebetween for storing one or more items therein. Suchitems can include, but are not limited to, one or more food items, suchas one or more breakfast food items (e.g., biscuits; breakfast meats,such as bacon, ham and sausages; eggs; pancakes; and potatoes, such ashash browns), one or more salad items (e.g., bread items, such asbreadcrumbs or croutons; and vegetables, such as tomatoes and lettuces),one or more lunch or dinner food items (e.g., sandwiches, hamburgers,steaks, and potatoes), and/or one or more dessert items (such as cakes,ice creams, pastries, and pies).

Similarly, the lid 120 and the clam-shell compartment 130, i.e., the lidtop surface and the lower shell, define a chamber for storing one ormore items. Such items can include, but are not limited to, condimentpackages, eating utensils, and napkins.

Alternatively and/or in combination, one or more items can be placedinside the clam-shell compartment 130 in an open configuration.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, the food container 100 includes threeseparate components, specifically, the tray container 110, the lid 120,and the clam-shell compartment 130. Alternatively, in some embodiments,the food container 100 can include only two separate components, e.g.,the tray container 110 and the lid 120, or the tray and lid 120 combinedas one component and clam-shell compartment 130 as another component.FIGS. 10-14 and 30 show views of an embodiment of a food container 300that includes only a tray container or base 310 with a pair of hingedhandles 350 and a lid 320. In some of such embodiments, one or moreitems can be placed on a cavity defined by the lid top surface 325without the need for a clam-shell compartment.

Each of the handles 150 is hingedly attached to the tray top surface 145at a hinge line 113. Each of the handles 150 is preferably formed fromthe material of the tray container 110, and each of the hinge lines 113is preferably formed by scoring or otherwise weakening portions of thetray container material between the handle 150 and the tray top surface145 so as to form a living hinge. A line of weakness can include, forexample, a compressed region, a region of thinned material thickness, aperforation line or a score line. In some embodiments, such as theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, each handle 150 includes one or moredimples 115 defined therein to extend outwards from the handle 150towards the receptacle and that are sized and shaped for receivingfingers of a hand so as to facilitate gripping of the handle 150.Alternatively and/or in combination, in some embodiments, each handle150 can include one or more raised portions 117 (e.g., raised lines orraised cross-hatch surfaces) formed on one or both sides of the handle150 to facilitate gripping of the handle or engagement of the lid tosecure the tray container and lid in a closed configuration.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary and non-limiting use of the foodcontainer shown in FIG. 1. One or more food items can be placed into thetray container or base 110, and the lid 120 can be attached to the traycontainer 110 based on engaging the lower lid-sidewall edge 190 into thegroove 180 (e.g., by press fitting or otherwise releasably engaging thelower lid-sidewall edge into the groove) so as to enclose the one ormore food items in the resulting receptacle. One or more additionalitems can be placed in the clam-shell compartment 130 when in an openconfiguration, and then the clam-shell compartment 130 can be closed(e.g., via a clasp). The clam-shell compartment 130 can then be placedonto the cavity defined by the lid top surface 155 so that the lowerpart of the clasp rests in the first notch 195 defined by the upperlid-sidewall edge and the hinge of the clam-shell compartment 130 restsin the second notch. Alternatively and/or in combination, in someembodiments, one or more items can be placed onto the cavity defined bythe lid top surface 155 before placing the clam-shell compartment 130thereon, or without including the clam-shell compartment 130. The pairof hinged handles 150 can be lifted upwards from the tray top surface145 and used to transport the food container 100 in a desiredorientation (e.g., an upright orientation), thus inhibiting and/orpreventing re-arrangement of the items (e.g., food items) storedtherein. For example, the hinged handles 150 can be used to transportthe food container 100 in an up-right orientation for placement in a bagor other article for carrying the food container. Also for example, thehinged handles 150 can be used to stack one or more of the foodcontainers 100 in a desired orientation (e.g., an up-right orientation)in the bag or other article for carrying the food containers. Also forexample, the hinged handles 150 can be used to remove the one or morefood containers from the bag or other article in a desired orientation(e.g., an upright orientation).

As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, thedisclosed food containers can be modified to include one or moredifferent and/or additional features than shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 1-9. For example, the lid 120 can be removably andreplaceably attached to the tray container 110 based on attachmentmethods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one suchembodiment, the lid 120 can be hingedly attached to the tray container110 at or along a first end and releasably attached to the traycontainer at or along a second end. Also for example, the shells 160 and165 of the clam-shell compartment 130 can be removably and replaceablyattached to each other in any manner known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

FIGS. 16-18 are views of another embodiment of a food container 500 withhinged handles. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the food container 500 includesa base 510 and a lid 520 removably and replaceably attached to the base520. The base 510 includes a base sidewall having upper and lowerbase-sidewall edges, a base top surface adjacent the upper base-sidewalledge, a base bottom surface adjacent the lower base-sidewall edge, and ahandle 550 hingedly connected to the base top surface. The lid 520includes a lid sidewall having upper and lower lid-sidewall edges and alid top surface that is adjacent to the upper lid-sidewall edge. Thebase 510 and the lid 520, e.g., the base sidewall, base bottom, lidsidewall, and lid top surface, cooperatively define a receptacletherebetween for storing one or more items therein, such as, but notlimited to, the food items previously described herein. The lid topsurface also defines a cavity or chamber 517 for receiving one or moreitems, such as, but not limited to, the items previously describedherein. The base top surface defines a groove therein that surrounds theupper base-sidewall edge and that is sized and shaped for releaseablyengaging the lower lid-sidewall edge. Alternatively, the lid can beotherwise removably and replaceably attached to the base based on one ormore different attachment methods known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. Preferably, each of the base 510 and the lid 520 has a unitaryor one-piece construction or can be connected together as a singlepiece, if desired.

The handle 550 is preferably formed from the material of the base 510.Inmost embodiments, the handle 550 is defined by forming one or moreperforations and a first pair of hinge lines 513 in the base topsurface. Upon initial separation of the handle 550 from the base topsurface (e.g., by separation along the perforations in the base topsurface), the base top surface includes non-contiguous first and secondportions 503 and 505, and the handle 550 is connected to opposite endsof the second portion 505 via the first pair of hinge lines. The firstpair of hinge lines 513 allows the handle 550 to be rotated upwards fromand downwards toward a rest position adjacent to or co-planar with thebase top surface. Preferably, the perforations are arranged in a patternfor producing a handle having a shape configured for being gripped byfingers of a hand and more preferably including one or morepressure-exerting protrusions 563, i.e., one or more portions capable ofapplying pressure to the one or more items stored in the chamber 517 inan operative state of the handle. Additionally, in some embodiments, theperforations are arranged in a pattern so as to produce a handle 550with a shape suitable for gripping by fingers of a hand for enhancedergonomics, as well as for aesthetics. While an M-shaped handle is shownin FIG. 16, other shapes for the handle are possible. In someembodiments, the handle 550 includes a second pair of hinge lines 519disposed between the first pair of hinge lines 513 and the outermostextent of the handle 550 from the first pair of hinge lines 513. Thesecond pair of hinge lines 519 allows the portion of the handle 550between the second pair of hinge lines 519 and the outermost extent ofthe handle 550 to be rotated upwards from and downwards towards anintermediate rest position, such as a rest position adjacent the lid topsurface, as shown in FIG. 18. When fully deployed, the handle is in alocking position to secure the lid in position on the base as well asany items within the cavity 517.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16-18, the food containers 500 includea single handle 550. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the foodcontainers 500 can include a second handle that is similar to the firsthandle 550 in both construction and operation.

An exemplary and non-limiting use of the food container shown in FIG. 16will now be described. One or more food items are placed in the base,and the lid is attached to the base based on engaging the lowerlid-sidewall edge into the groove (e.g., by press fitting or otherwisereleaseably engaging the lower lid-sidewall edge into the groove) so asto enclose the one or more food items in the resulting receptacle. Oneor more additional items are placed into the cavity of the lid. Thehandle is lifted upwards from the base top surface to the fully deployedposition so that the handle protrusion extends downwards toward thecavity and exerts pressure on the items stored therein, therebyinhibiting and/or preventing movement of the items or the lid. As shownin FIG. 17, for example, the handle protrusion can apply pressure to acondiment package stored in the chamber, causing the package to expandoutwards from the chamber in the region of the protrusion. Preferably,the items define shapes that are complementary to the shape of thechamber, so as to enhance the securing of the items in the chamber. Asshown in FIG. 18, the items in the chamber can be accessed by rotatingthe handle downwards about the second pair of hinge lines to a restposition on the lid top surface.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are views of another embodiment of a food container withhinged handles. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the food container 1000includes a base 1010 having an undulating or contoured sidewall withupper and lower sidewall edges, a bottom surface adjacent the lowersidewall edge, a top surface 1030 adjacent the upper sidewall edge, anda pair of handles 1050, 1055 hingedly connected to the top surface. Theundulating or contoured sidewall is sized and shaped to form one or moreseparate cavities 1060 for receiving one or more vessels (e.g., cups)carrying fluids or other items. Such fluids can include, but are notlimited to, coffees, dairy beverages, juices, sodas, teas, soup andwaters. Preferably, the food container has a unitary or one-piececonstruction. Any other items can be carried by the vessels sized to fitwithin the cavities.

FIG. 19 shows the handles 1050, 1055 in a rest configuration, and FIG.20 shows the handles 1050, 1055 in an operative or deployedconfiguration. Each of the handles is preferably formed from thematerial of the base. In most embodiments, each handle is defined byforming one or more perforations and a pair of hinge lines in the basetop surface. The pair of hinge lines allows the handle to be rotatedupwards from and downwards toward a rest position adjacent the base topsurface. Preferably, the perforations are arranged in a pattern forproducing a handle having a shape configured for being gripped byfingers of a hand for enhanced ergonomics as well as for aesthetics.While M-shaped handles 1050, 1055 are shown in FIG. 19, otherwise shapedhandles are possible. For example, the handles 1050, 1055 can have ashape similar to that of the handles in FIG. 22. When deployed, thehandles can secure one or more vessels within the cavities, if desired,as shown in FIG. 19.

In some embodiments of the food containers shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, thebottom surface and/or the lower sidewall edge that is adjacent a cavitycan include a feature known by those of ordinary skill in the art tofacilitate securing of a vessel into the chamber and inhibit and/orprevent movement of the vessel. For example, in some of suchembodiments, the bottom surface and/or the lower sidewall edge caninclude a sleeve, a groove, a stepped portion, a textured surface and/oranother feature formed thereon or therein to facilitate securing of thevessel.

In some embodiments of the food container shown in FIGS. 19 and 20include multiple (i.e., two or more) cavities, wherein two or more ofthe multiple cavities can include different cross-dimensions or shapesso as to receive corresponding vessels having different cross-dimensionsor shapes (e.g., so as to receive small, medium, and largefluid-carrying vessels).

FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views of another embodiment of a foodcontainer 1200 with hinged handles. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, thefood container 1200 includes a base 1210 having a sidewall with upperand lower sidewall edges, a bottom surface adjacent the lower sidewalledge, a top surface adjacent the upper sidewall edge, and a pair ofhandles 1250, 1255 hingedly connected to the top surface 1230 and formedbased on the aspects described herein. The bottom surface of the base1210 defines one or more cavity portions 1219 therein that are sized andshaped to receive one or more respective food items having differentshapes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the bottom surface ofthe basket defines a substantially circular cavity portion 1219 a forreceiving a fluid-carrying vessel (e.g., a cup), a polygonally-shapedcavity portion 1219 b for receiving an article for carrying friedpotatoes, and an oval cavity portion 1219 c (obstructed by the base 1210in the view of FIGS. 21 and 22) for receiving a sandwich. The bottomsurface of the base 1210 can define one or more cavity portions withdesired sizes and shapes for transporting one or more food items.Preferably, the food container has a unitary or one-piece construction.

An exemplary and non-limiting use of the food container shown in FIG. 21will now be described. One or more food items are placed in the base1210 in the corresponding cavity 1219 portions and the handles 1250,1255 are lifted upwards from the top surface of the base. Upon liftingof the basket, the movement and force of gravity causes the food itemsto settle into and otherwise be releaseably engaged by the correspondingcutout portions 1219.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are views of another embodiment of a food container 1500having hinged handles. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the food containerincludes a tray container or base 1510 and a lid 1520 removably andreplaceably attached to the tray container 1510. The tray container 1510and the lid 1520 cooperatively define a receptacle therebetween forstoring one or more food therein (e.g., the food items previouslydescribed herein). The lid 1520 includes a lid lower edge and a lid topsurface that defines a recessed chamber or cavity 1535 therein,preferably sized and shaped for receiving one or more items. The traycontainer 1510 includes a tray top surface that defines a groove thereinsized and shaped for receiving the lid lower edge. Preferably, the traycontainer also includes two locking tabs 1543 that are disposed atopposite ends of the tray top surface and that extend inwards from thetray top surface towards the interior of the tray container 1510 forreleaseably securing the lid 1520 to the tray container 1510.Alternatively, the lid 1520 can be removably and replaceably attached tothe tray container 1510 based on methods known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Preferably, each of the tray container 1510 and thelid 1520 has a unitary or one-piece construction, or can be combinedtogether as a single piece clam-shell configuration.

Each of the handles 1550 is hingedly attached to the tray top surface ata pair of hinge lines 1551. Each of the handles 1550 is preferablyformed from the material of the tray container 1510. Each of the handles1550 can be formed from the top surface of the tray container 1510 basedon the aspects described herein, such as to lock the lid and contents ofthe cavity in position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, each handle1550 includes an undulating or contoured lower edge that can facilitategripping of the handle by fingers of a hand. Alternatively, each handle1550 includes a smooth (i.e., non-undulating) lower edge, so that thetray top surface from which the handle 1550 is formed (e.g., bydestruction of perforations in the tray top surface) includes asimilarly smooth outer edge.

As shown in FIGS. 23, the recessed chamber or cavity 1535 can includeone or more separate compartments or regions 1561 formed therein, and/orone or more cavities can be provided, each of which is sized and shapedto receive one or more items having different sizes. For example, thecompartments 1561 can be sized and shaped to receive one or morecondiment packages (e.g., salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, relish, andsyrup packages). Additionally, one or more items can be placed on top ofthe one or more compartments. For example, as suggested in FIG. 23,eating utensils and/or napkins can be placed on top of the filledcompartments.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary use of the food container shown in FIG.23. As suggested in FIG. 25, one or more food items can be placed in thetray container, the lid can be removably and replaceably attached to thetray container, and the handles can be lifted upwards from the topsurface and grabbed with the fingers of a hand to secure the lid andcontents of the container in position, and to transport the foodcontainer in a desired orientation (e.g., an upright orientation). Thehandles can also be used to place a food container into, remove a foodcontainer from, and/or stack one or more of the food containers in adesired orientation in a bag or other article for carrying the foodcontainers. The pairs of hinged handles can be removably and replaceablyattached to each other based on aspects known to those of ordinary skillin the art. In some embodiments, the first and second handles of a pairof handles can include one or more mating surfaces to facilitateattachment together. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 25 at1591, the first handle 1550 can include one or more male protrusions,and the second handle 1550 can include one or more mated femaledepressions to engage each other.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a food containerwith a hinged handle depicting the handle in a operative configurationand FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the food container of FIG. 26depicting the handle in a rest configuration. The food container 2000includes a tray container or base 2010, first and second lid portions2020 and 2030 that are each hingedly attached to the tray container2010, and a handle 2050 that is hingedly attached to an upper surface2018 of the first lid portion 2020. The tray container 2010 and thefirst and second lid portions 2020 and 2030 cooperatively define areceptacle that is sized and shaped for storing one or more items (e.g.,one or more food items) therein.

As shown in FIG. 26, the first and second lid portions 2020 and 2030 canbe disposed in a closed configuration, in which both lid portions 2020and 2030 contact the tray container 2010 to define the receptacletherewithin. The first and second lid portions 2020 and 2030 can also bedisposed in one or more open configurations, in which either or both lidportions 2020 and 2030 are rotated away from the tray container 2010 soto provide access to items stored therein. For example, with the handle2050 of the food container 2000 in its rest configuration, the first andsecond lid portions 2020 and 2030 can be rotated outwards from the traycontainer 2010 into an open configuration so as to provide access to oneor more food items stored in the food container 2000. In someembodiments, the first lid portion 2020 includes a groove adjacent therear of the handle 2050 sized and shaped for receiving an outer edge2090 of the second lid portion 2030 for flush alignment.

As shown in FIG. 26, the second lid upper surface 2038 defines an accessopening 2057 to receive and access the handle 2050. A female compartment2061 also can be provided that is recessed or otherwise offset from thesecond lid upper surface 2038. The female compartment 2061 is sized andshaped to releaseably engage a male protrusion 2069 extending outwardsfrom the handle 2050.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary and non-limiting use of the foodcontainer shown in FIG. 26. As suggested in FIG. 28, one or more fooditems can be placed in the tray container. The first and second lidportions can be rotated to closed configuration, and the handle can belifted upwards from the second lid portion top surface. Lifting of thehandle into its operative configuration secures the first and second lidportions together, thereby inhibiting and/or preventing the release ofthe items stored in the food container. In some embodiments, the handledefines a cutout portion that is sized and shaped for receiving a fingerof a hand to facilitate gripping of the handle. In its operative state,the handle can be used to transport one or more items stored in thecontainer in a desired orientation (e.g., an upright orientation). Thehandle can also be used to place a food container into, remove a foodcontainer from, and/or stack one or more of the food containers in adesired orientation in a bag or other article for carrying the foodcontainers.

FIG. 29 illustrates a stacking of two of the food containers 2000 a,2000 b shown in FIG. 26. As shown FIG. 26, the top and bottom surfacesof each food container can include one or more mated surfaces tofacilitate stacking and/or close packing of the food containers. In someembodiments, the top surface of each food container can include one ormore male protrusions 2077 formed thereon and the bottom surface candefine one or more mated female depressions therein. Alternatively, insome embodiments, the male protrusions can be formed on the bottomsurface, and the female depressions can be defined by the top surface.In some of such embodiments, the food containers can be securely stackedupon one another by fitting the female depressions in the bottom surfaceof one food container around the male protrusions in the top surface ofanother food container. In some of such embodiments, the food containerscan be stacked so as to oppositely orient the lid portions in eachsuccessive pair of stacked food containers.

The food containers shown and described herein can be fabricated usingmaterials and processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art suchas, but not limited to, the materials and the processes described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,257,401 and 6,349,847, the contents of which patentsare expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Forexample, the food containers can be formed from one or more insulatingfoams, one or more plastics, one or more paper stocks, and/or one ormore other materials known by those of ordinary skill in the art to besuitable for storage of food items. Also for example, the foodcontainers can be thermoformed, vacuum-formed, molded, and/or otherwiseformed using one or more processes known by those of ordinary skill inthe art to be suitable for the fabrication of food containers.

The food containers shown and described herein can include one or moreadditional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art toenhance the stacking and/or close packing of the food containers. Forexample, the surfaces of the food containers can include one or moremated surfaces, e.g., surfaces with one or more male protrusions and oneor more mated female depressions, to facilitate stacking and/or closepacking.

The pairs of hinged handles of each food container shown and describedherein can be removably and replaceably attached to each other based onaspects known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In someembodiments, the first and second handles of a pair can include one ormore mating surfaces to facilitate attachment. For example, as shown inFIG. 21, the first handle can include one or more male protrusions, andthe second handle can include one or more mated female depressions.

While the disclosed food containers have been shown and described withreference to the illustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize and/or be able to ascertain many equivalents to thoseembodiments. Such equivalents are encompassed by the scope of thepresent disclosure and the appended claims.

Unless otherwise provided, when the articles “a” or “an” are used hereinto modify a noun, they can be understood to include one or more than oneof the modified noun.

1. A food container comprising: a base member having at least one handlehingedly coupled thereto; and a lid coupled to the base member formovement between an open position and a closed position, the base memberand the lid cooperatively defining a first receptacle therebetween whenthe lid is in a closed position, the lid having a cavity defined in anupper surface thereof to hold contents separate from the firstreceptacle.
 2. The food container of claim 1, further comprising: asecond compartment defining a second receptacle therein, the cavitybeing configured to receive the second compartment.
 3. The foodcontainer of claim 2, wherein the second compartment includes an uppermember and lower member coupled together for movement between an openposition and a closed position to form a clam-shell configuration. 4.The food container of claim 2, wherein a third receptacle is definedbetween an upper surface of the lid and a lower surface of the secondcompartment.
 5. The food container of claim 1, wherein the lid isseparable from the base member.
 6. The food container of claim 1,wherein the handle is moveable between a first position to allow the lidto be removable from the base member to an open position and a secondposition to secure the lid in the closed position.
 7. The food containerof claim 6, wherein the handle is further configured to hold contentswithin the cavity when in the second position.
 8. The food container ofclaim 1, wherein the handle is hingedly coupled to the base member by afirst hinge, the handle further including a second hinge between a firstportion of the handle and a second portion of the handle.
 9. The foodcontainer of claim 1, wherein the handle includes at least one surfacefeature to enhance gripping.
 10. The food container of claim 1, furthercomprising a second handle hingedly coupled to the base member, thefirst and second handles being engageable together.
 11. The foodcontainer of claim 1, wherein the base member and the handle are asingle-piece construction.
 12. The food container of claim 11, whereinthe handle is defined by a line of weakness formed in a portion of thebase member.
 13. A food container comprising: a base member having abottom surface, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom surface,the bottom surface having a plurality of cavities defined therein, atleast one cavity configured to hold a corresponding vessel; and at leastone handle hingedly coupled to the base member.
 14. The food containerof claim 13, wherein the handle is moveable between a first position toallow the vessel to be removable from the corresponding cavity of basemember and a second position to secure the vessel in the correspondingcavity.
 15. The food container of claim 13, wherein the handle includesat least one surface feature to enhance gripping.
 16. The food containerof claim 13, further comprising a second handle hingedly coupled to thebase member, the first and second handles being engageable together. 17.The food container of claim 13, wherein the base member and the handleare a single-piece construction.
 18. The food container of claim 13,wherein the corresponding cavity has a surface feature to enhanceengagement of the vessel therein.
 19. A food container comprising: abase member; a first lid portion hingedly coupled to one side of thebase member; a second lid portion hingedly coupled to a second side ofthe base member opposite the first side, the base member and the firstand second lid portions cooperatively defining a first receptacletherebetween when the first and second lid portions are in a closedposition; and at least one handle hingedly coupled to at least one ofthe first and second lid portions, the handle being moveable between afirst position to allow the first and second lid portions to be moved toan open position and a second position to secure the first and secondlid portions in the closed position.
 20. The food container of claim 19,wherein the other of the first and second lid portions has an openingdefined therein to receive the handle therethrough when in the secondposition.